Teacher Appreciation Day

Hi all!

I'm spreading the word: Tuesday, May 7th is Teacher Appreciation Day at Chipotle! Make sure you go!

You're welcome.

Finding a Job

I wanted to talk about finding a teaching job in this week's post because it is something I am currently doing and let me tell you - it is a full time job on its own!

Although I absolutely adore my current job, it is a TA position and I am ready for something more. I think the most frustrating part of the dreaded job search is the fact that everything is (ironically) online. Postings are up, you apply, and you hope to get a call. In some cases, it helps to contact people directly, but there are also school districts who do not appreciate the contact. In fact, if someone contacts a district or principal directly, that is against the application process and the application could potentially be taken out of the running for a job! It is hard for me to soley do online applications because I enjoy talking and networking with others. I like sitting down at a Starbucks to have a conversation. Interviews are almost fun for me because I enjoy sharing my experiences and ideas with others.

So everyday, twice a day, I spend looking at each district website that I am applying for. I make sure my application is updated and my current letter of recommendations are up. If I see a posting at a place where one of my connections has a connection, I let them know.

Is there more to do?

It is a stressful time, although it is a little exciting! Where is my life taking me? I'm not sure. And the large planner that I am is going crazy on the inside. As of now, I do have some potentials in the future, so we'll see!
Tell me your experiences!

Teacher Websites: Updated

I wrote a few days ago discussing teacher websites. I have finished my teacher website for one of my classes; check it out!

Everything on it is fake (names of students, etc.) but the idea is there! I was planning on using Sites through Google, but I have to say it was pretty tough to figure out. Maybe when I have more time, I can navigate my way through it. Weebly, however, was very straightforward. I appreciated the ease of the website. 

The useful thing for classes is to embed a Google Calendar like I did. You can update one calendar for classroom dates, like field trips and homework, while another calendar can be for the school or district. It is incredibly easy to add new dates. When I was student teaching, while students were packing up, we would fill out our planners and update our website with homework at the same time. This way, students could get a reminder of their homework at the end of the day. If they forgot what their homework was, they could look it up on the classroom website. (Although, by some weird chance, students STILL forgot to do homework!) :)

What other items are useful in a classroom website? I want ideas, people!

Class Dojo

Hi all!

A fifth grade teacher in my school introduced me to a great behavior management program available for teachers and students online. Basically, it is an app that allows for the teacher to add or subtract points for students immediately for on task or off task behaviors. Students have their own accounts and can check their behaviors throughout the week!


Check it out here.

"It is awesome because I can make my own avatar," said one of the fifth graders who uses it.

Teacher Websites

This week in one of my grad classes we are starting to create our own teacher websites. You don't know how excited I am. This is one of the things I have been wanting to do this year with my position, especially since I teacher K-5 in math. I could post resources, games that align with CCSS, and much much more! If I happen to have this position again, I'm going to ask my school district for a domain name!

There are many things that make a website beneficial, but in and out of school. Parents have easy access to what is going on in the classroom and help with homework. Students can see their assignments posted on the calendar. Teachers can keep track of things easily (like surveys, photos, dates, etc.). The options are endless with a website! And they're each to sync up.

I am using the website feature through Google. I never knew there was a site through Google to create a webpage. I figure since I do everything else through Google, I might as well make a website! Teachers in my district also use Weebly.

What site do you use?

Ebooks vs. The Real Deal

I love to read. When I have the time, that is. There really is nothing better than losing yourself in a story for a few days. One of the worst things is to complete a book series! You have to say goodbye to the stories and characters... until you reread it!

I am an avid user of the local library, for books, music and movies. I started using it immensely for a Children's Literature course at my undergraduate school, and have been using it frequently ever since. One of the best things about the library is the fact that they do ebooks as well! I downloaded the needed app (for free) and can request books, like normal. When the file is available, I download it from my email and it is ready to go for 2-weeks! It goes away automatically once the allotted time is complete.

The question to me is: What is better? Ebooks or The Real Deal?

To me, it depends on the situation. I love holding a hefty book. My favorites are hardbacks. When I throw them in my tote-purses, they don't bend. However, when I'm traveling, the ebooks are the way to go! I have everything I need for a flight right on my iPad. I've even read The Hunger Games series on my smartphone a year ago! 

I was looking up infographics for this post and found one that really shows that printed books are here to stay.

How much is too much?

Social media is slowly taking over our world. From Facebook statuses to Twitter updates and Vine videos to Instagram photos, it is incredibly easy to share absolutely everything happening in your life on the Internet. Where is the line of crossing into "Too Much Information" Territory?

I am all for sharing educational information on this blog and Twitter to my education pals. If I find something useful for my classroom, why not share the wealth?! I want my friends to be success and have engaged students, but I don't appreciate the complaining I see on Facebook or Twitter of teachers who are tired or parents complaining about their children's teachers. Why put it up?

This upcoming generation is slowly growing up online, easily sharing information to their friends. Sexting and cyber-bullying has become a huge problem in schools and the real world. How can we help this situation?

In one of my graduate classes, we had a discussion about using cell phones as a learning tool in the classroom. I had to disagree with this use. Although there are definite apps that can be used as response systems, students can easily text, tweet, or Facebook chat while in the classroom. I think it would be best for students to leave their cell phones in their backpacks throughout the school day. Most of the students will be on them the second school is over anyway.

What do you feel about sharing too much information? Can this be helped at all or are we headed down the road of continuous, minute-by-minute status updates?

Google Glass

Want to see the COOLEST thing I've seen in a long time? Please check this out!

Technology is not at your fingertips any longer. With Google Glass, you can literally use functions from a computer by talking and wearing an eye piece! I know there are jokes about how cell phones are becoming a part of everyone because people always have them in their hands, but are computers really starting to become a staple in our everyday lives... Or everyday wardrobes?!

I'm not too sure I'll be using the Glass anytime soon, but it is such an interesting idea. I'd much rather watch someone skydive through my computer screen than actually do it myself.

Math Piloting

This is my first year teaching, and I just happened to land my dream job of the moment. I teach math to kindergarten through fifth graders. I love math. After getting my undergraduate degree in Elementary Ed, I took the Praxis for middle mathematics. Is year, I've also tutored students from middle to high school ages each week in math. I love going back to algebra and geometry. It makes me so happy!

This year, my school district has been researching new math curriculums, specifically that align with the Common Core State Standards, and I have been in the Math Cohort that gets to choose next year's curriculum. It is comprised of my principal, at least one teacher from each grade level, the two math interventionists, and gifted teacher. We have been discussing two different curriculums and have met with each company. As of last week, we were finishing up our second pilot. We are meeting in a week to discuss our findings and will (hopefully) choose our new curriculum!

This has been such a great experience for me. I love being able to use the online features with both of the companies when teaching my students. My partner and I have created packets for each grade to use as intervention tools. I have the say, the pilots worked great! The online tools include manipulatives, such as Base Ten Blocks and fraction tools, and include engaging games and videos to intrigue students before each lesson. The real world videos are my favorite because the students can see how the math they are learning directly affects them in their lives outside of school.

What curriculums do you use at your school? Are there good online tools available with them?

Infographics

Looking for interesting ways to share statistics? Infographics are a great way to engage viewers to learn something about specific topics.

I just created an infographic for one of my graduate classes about technology in our schools. Take a gander.

Infographics are a great idea for a group or individual project for students. There are many free sites online that allow for ideas to flow. I used infogra.amfor my project. There are many options for layout, but I wish there were more ways to change text fonts as well as color. You are limited with the layouts you choose. If any of you try out other infographic sites, please let me know what you think!

If you need inspiration or just want to look at the creations of others, please look at this awesome website. Such amazing ideas!

Brain Breaks!

I teach math all day in my classroom. This past week, my fourth grade students were working hard on taking an end-of-unit test and then our weekly progress monitor test. I felt as if we were all "tested" out and needed some kind of relief. It also doesn't help that the snow has caused a whole week of indoor recess. My kids needed to move, so I began thinking of a way to incorporate Brain Breaks for my students. One our our third grade teachers gave me the idea of dance breaks. I minored in dance in college and love the idea of incorporating movement into my daily activity, so I was game!

 

On my school computer, I bookmarked Just Dance videos for my students. There are great songs that my students know and enjoy. We tried them out this past week, and loved it! Plus, it was a great workout for me!

 

Below are some examples to use in your classroom...

 

Tech Updates

Hi all!

I am going to utilize this blog to post interesting things in technology and education to share and motivate fellow educators! Please make sure to check back periodically to see what is new in the world of Educational Technology!

Want to learn more about something? Think a post is interesting? Make sure you comment to the posts! I want to make sure my posts are relevant to my viewers.

To all of my fellow educators with the day off: RELAX!

- L